Firms that want to encourage more women graduates to apply for jobs are being urged to set up a partnership with Oxford's remaining women's college, St Hilda's.

Contractor Leadbitter, of Eynsham, has already started work on the Christina Barrett Building, thanks to a bequest from medieval historian Rosalind Hill, who asked that it be named after a close friend.

Appeal director Lyn Robertson said: "The college is putting up some greatly needed accommodation and hopes to open the new building in the autumn.

"The names of firms interested in sponsoring a room would become known to the next generation of high-flyers. It could build a business relationship of value to both sides." The TI Group, based in Abingdon, is among companies already forging links with St Hilda's.

Ms Robinson added: "The college can offer access to the top three per cent of the population, intellectually speaking, and more than a third of its students graduate in mathematics and the sciences."

She said St Hilda's was adding to its traditional strength in English and modern languages by making a name for itself in plant sciences and chemistry. Four of its five chemistry students won first-class degrees last year, as well as university prizes.

Since it was founded in the early days of women's education, it has struggled to keep up with richer colleges that receive endowments from wealthy founders.

It can offer rooms to only two thirds of its students, compared with an Oxford average of 85 per cent.

The wealthiest colleges now offer all their students a room in college, since cheap rented accommodation has become more difficult to find.